This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

Appendix D: Feature Types and Verification Methods

Parts of the WELL Building Standard fall into one of three categories with respect to the interventions necessary for their completion – design elements, protocols or performance standards. Design standards require that a specific technology or design strategy be used. Protocols are also prescriptive, but for building or company policies or schedules. Performance-based standards mandate environmental conditions and therefore are affected by both building design and operation. They are also technology- and practice-neutral, allowing flexibility in how a project meets acceptable quantified thresholds.

The following table also displays the type of documentation relevant (if any) for each Part of a Feature. Project teams should consult this table to understand what document needs to be submitted to demonstrate that the Part has been satisfied, or if no action is necessary because an assessor will check the Part on-site during the Performance Verification.

Air

Feature 1: Air quality standards

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Performance)
Standards for Volatile Substances
Performance Test
PART 2 (Performance)
Standards for Particulate Matter and Inorganic Gases
Performance Test
PART 3 (Performance)
Below-Grade Air Quality Standards
Performance Test
PART 4 (Performance)
Operational Kitchen Air Quality
Performance Test

Feature 2: Smoking ban

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Indoor Smoking Ban
Policy Document
PART 2 (Protocol)
Outdoor Smoking Ban
Auditor Inspection
PART 3 ()
Smoke-Free Campus
Architect Architectural Drawing

Feature 3: Ventilation effectiveness

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Ventilation Design
MEP
PART 2 (Design)
Demand Controlled Ventilation
MEP
PART 3 (Design)
System Balancing
Commissioning Report
PART 4 ()
Ventilation Rates for Residences
MEP

Feature 4: VOC reduction

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Interior Paints and Coatings
Architect
PART 2 (Design)
Interior Adhesives and Sealants
Architect
PART 3 (Design)
Flooring
Architect
PART 4 (Design)
Insulation
Architect
PART 5 (Design)
Furniture and Furnishings
Architect

Feature 5: Air filtration

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Filter Accommodation
MEP Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Particle Filtration
MEP Spot Check
PART 3 (Design)
Air Filtration Maintenance
Operations Schedule

Feature 6: Microbe and mold control

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Cooling Coil Mold Reduction
MEP Spot Check
PART 2 (Performance)
Mold Inspections
Auditor Inspection

Feature 7: Construction pollution management

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Duct Protection
Contractor

Feature 8: Healthy entrance

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Permanent Entryway Walk-Off Systems
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 (Design)
Entryway Air Seal
Auditor Inspection

Feature 9: Cleaning protocol

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Cleaning Plan for Occupied Spaces
Operations Schedule

Feature 10: Pesticide management

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Pesticide Use
Operations Schedule

Feature 11: Fundamental material safety

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Asbestos and Lead Restriction
Architect
PART 2 (Design)
Lead Abatement
Remediation Report
PART 3 (Design)
Asbestos Abatement
Remediation Report
PART 4 (Design)
Polychlorinated Biphenyl Abatement
Contractor

Feature 13: Air flush

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Air Flush
Contractor

Feature 15: Increased ventilation

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Increased Fresh Air Supply
MEP

Feature 16: Humidity control

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Relative Humidity
MEP Spot Measurement
PART 3 (Design)
Kitchen Humidity
MEP Architectural Drawing

Feature 17: Direct source ventilation

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Pollution Isolation and Exhaust
MEP Spot Check
PART 2 ()
Exhaust Hood Design Guidelines
MEP
PART 3 ()
Makeup air system design
MEP
PART 9 (Design)
Locker Rooms
MEP

Feature 18: Air quality monitoring and feedback

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Indoor Air Monitoring
Auditor Inspection
PART 3 (Design)
Environmental Measures Display
Auditor Inspection

Feature 19: Operable windows

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Full Control
Architectural Drawing Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Outdoor Air Measurement
Architect Spot Check
PART 3 (Design)
Window Operation Management
Architect Spot Check
PART 4 ()
(OLD) Natural Ventilation Standards
MEP

Feature 22: Pest control

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Pest Reduction
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 (Performance)
Pest Inspection
Auditor Inspection

Feature 23: Advanced air purification

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Carbon Filtration
MEP Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Air Sanitization
MEP Spot Check
PART 3 (Protocol)
Air Quality Maintenance
Operations Schedule

Feature 24: Combustion minimization

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Appliance and Heater Combustion Ban
Architect Spot Check
PART 3 (Protocol)
Engine Exhaust Reduction
Auditor Inspection

Feature 25: Toxic material reduction

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Perfluorinated Compound Limitation
Architect
PART 2 (Design)
Flame Retardant Limitation
Architect
PART 3 (Design)
Phthalate (Plasticizers) Limitation
Architect
PART 4 (Design)
Isocyanate-Based Polyurethane Limitation
Architect
PART 5 (Design)
Urea-Formaldehyde Restriction
Architect

Feature 26: Enhanced material safety

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Precautionary Material Selection
Architect

Feature 27: Antimicrobial surfaces

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
High-Touch Surface Coating
Architect
PART 2 (Design)
Locker Room Coating
Contractor
PART 3 (Design)
Fabric Coating
Contractor

Feature 28: Cleanable environment

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Material Properties
Architect
PART 2 (Design)
Cleanability
Auditor Inspection
PART 3 (Design)
Cleanable Locker Rooms
Architect

Feature 29: Cleaning equipment

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Equipment and Cleaning Agents
Operations Schedule
PART 2 (Design)
Chemical Storage
Auditor Inspection

Feature 1020: Advanced cleaning

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Advanced Cleaning Protocols
Operations Schedule

Water

Feature 30: Fundamental water quality

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Performance)
Sediment
Performance Test
PART 2 (Performance)
Microorganisms
Performance Test

Feature 31: Inorganic contaminants

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Performance)
Dissolved Metals
Performance Test

Feature 32: Organic contaminants

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Performance)
Organic Pollutants
Performance Test

Feature 33: Agricultural contaminants

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Performance)
Herbicides and Pesticides
Performance Test
PART 2 (Performance)
Fertilizers
Performance Test

Feature 34: Public water additives

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Performance)
Disinfectants
Performance Test
PART 2 (Performance)
Disinfectant Byproducts
Performance Test
PART 3 (Performance)
Fluoride
Performance Test

Feature 35: Periodic water quality testing

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Quarterly Testing
Operations Schedule

Feature 36: Water treatment

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Organic Chemical Removal
MEP Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Sediment Filter
MEP Spot Check
PART 3 (Design)
Microbial Elimination
MEP Spot Check
PART 4 (Design)
Water Quality Maintenance
Operations Schedule

Feature 37: Drinking water promotion

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Performance)
Drinking Water Taste Properties
Performance Test
PART 2 (Design)
Drinking Water Access
MEP Spot Check
PART 3 (Protocol)
Water Dispenser Maintenance
Operations Schedule

Nourishment

Feature 38: Fruits and vegetables

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Fruit and Vegetable Variety
Operations Schedule Spot Check
PART 2 (Protocol)
Fruit and Vegetable Promotion
Operations Schedule Spot Check

Feature 39: Processed foods

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Refined Ingredient Restrictions
Operations Schedule Spot Check
PART 2 (Protocol)
Trans Fat Ban
Operations Schedule Spot Check
PART 3 (Performance)
Fryer Oil
Performance Test

Feature 40: Food allergies

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Food Allergy Labeling
Operations Schedule Spot Check

Feature 41: Hand washing

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Hand Washing Supplies
Operations Schedule Spot Check
PART 2 (Protocol)
Contamination Reduction
Auditor Inspection
PART 3 (Design)
Sink Dimensions
Architect Spot Check

Feature 42: Food contamination

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Cold Storage
Architect Spot Check
PART 2 (Protocol)
Food Preparation Separation
Operations Schedule Spot Check
PART 3 (Design)
Residential Kitchen Sinks
Auditor Inspection

Feature 43: Artificial ingredients

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Artificial Substance Labeling
Operations Schedule Spot Check

Feature 44: Nutritional information

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Detailed Nutritional Information
Auditor Inspection

Feature 45: Food advertising

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Advertising and Environmental Cues
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 (Protocol)
Nutritional Messaging
Auditor Inspection

Feature 46: Safe food preparation materials

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Cooking Material
Operations Schedule Spot Check
PART 2 (Protocol)
Cutting Surfaces
Operations Schedule Spot Check
PART 3 (Protocol)
Banned Plastics
Operations Schedule
PART 4 ()
Containers for Prepared Food
MEP

Feature 47: Serving sizes

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Meal Sizes
Operations Schedule Spot Check
PART 2 (Protocol)
Dinnerware Sizes
Operations Schedule Spot Check

Feature 48: Special diets

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Food Alternatives
Operations Schedule

Feature 49: Responsible food production

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Sustainable Agriculture
Operations Schedule
PART 2 (Protocol)
Humane Agriculture
Operations Schedule

Feature 50: Food storage

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Storage Capacity
Architect Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Temperature Control
Architect Spot Check
PART 3 (Protocol)
Oil Storage
Operations Schedule
PART 4 (Protocol)
Kitchen Food Safety
Architect Operations Schedule

Feature 51: Food production

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Gardening Space
Architect
PART 2 (Design)
Planting Support
Architect

Feature 1102: Sink location and operation

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 ()
Handwashing Station Location
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 ()
Sink Operations
Auditor Inspection

Light

Feature 53: Visual lighting design

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Visual Acuity for Working
Architect Spot Measurement
PART 2 (Design)
Task Lighting
Architect Spot Measurement
PART 3 ()
Commercial Kitchen Lighting
Architect
PART 4 ()
Visual Acuity in Living Environments
Architect
PART 5 ()
Visual Acuity for Learning
Architect

Feature 54: Circadian lighting design

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Melanopic Light Intensity in Work Areas
Architect Spot Measurement
PART 2 (Performance)
Melanopic Light Intensity in Living Environments
Performance Test
PART 3 (Performance)
Melanopic Light Intensity in Breakrooms
Performance Test

Feature 55: Electric light glare control

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Lamp Shielding
Architect Spot Measurement

Feature 56: Solar glare control

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
View Window Shading
Architect Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Daylight Management
Architect Spot Check

Feature 57: Low-glare workstation design

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Workstation Orientation
Auditor Inspection

Feature 58: Color quality

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Color Rendering Index
Architect Spot Measurement

Feature 59: Surface design

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Work Area Wall and Ceiling Lightness
Architect
PART 2 ()
Bedroom Wall and Ceiling Lightness
Architect
PART 3 ()
Living Space Wall and Ceiling Lightness
Architect

Feature 60: Automated shading and dimming controls

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Automated Sunlight Control
Architect Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Responsive Light Control
Architect Spot Check

Feature 61: Right to light

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Lease Depth
Architectural Drawing Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Windows and Workspaces
Architectural Drawing Spot Check

Feature 63: Daylighting fenestration

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Window Sizes for Workspaces
Architectural Drawing Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Window Transmittance in Work Areas
Architect
PART 3 (Design)
Uniform Color Transmittance
Architect
PART 4 (Design)
Window Sizes for Living Spaces
Architect

Feature 202: Light elimination

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 ()
Window Light Elimination
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 ()
Electric Light Elimination
Auditor Inspection
PART 3 (Performance)
Exterior Lighting
Architect Letter of Assurance

Feature 203: Nightlights

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 ()
Safe Nighttime Navigation Lighting
Auditor Inspection

Feature 204: Circadian emulation

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Circadian Lighting
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 (Design)
Dawn Simulation
Architect

Fitness

Feature 64: Interior fitness circulation

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Stair Accessability
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 (Design)
Stairs Promotion
Auditor Inspection
PART 3 (Design)
Facilitative Aesthetics
Auditor Inspection

Feature 65: Activity incentive programs

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Activity Incentive Programs
Policy Document
PART 2 (Protocol)
Sedentary Behavior Reduction
Policy Document

Feature 66: Structured fitness opportunities

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Professional Fitness Program
Policy Document
PART 2 (Protocol)
Fitness Education
Policy Document
PART 3 (Protocol)
Physical Activity Breaks
Policy Document

Feature 67: Exterior active design

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Pedestrian Amenities
Architect
PART 2 (Design)
Pedestrian Promotion
Architect
PART 3 (Design)
Walk Score®
Architect

Feature 68: Physical activity spaces

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Site Space Designation for Offices
Architectural Drawing
PART 2 (Design)
External Exercise Spaces
Architect
PART 8 ()
(PENDING) Physical Activity Spaces for Schools
Architect Architectural Drawing
PART 9 ()
(PENDING) Residential Site Space Designation
Auditor Inspection

Feature 69: Active transportation support

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Bicycle Storage and Support
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 (Design)
Post Commute and Workout Facilities
Architectural Drawing Spot Check
PART 3 (Design)
Bicycle Storage Facilities for Schools
Architect

Feature 70: Fitness equipment

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Low-Intensity Equipment
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 (Design)
High-Intensity Equipment
Auditor Inspection

Feature 71: Active furnishings

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Active Workstations
Auditor Inspection

Feature 210: Injury prevention

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Sufficient Lighting
PART 2 (Design)
Sidewalks
PART 3 (Design)
Crosswalks
Architect Architectural Drawing
PART 4 ()
Safe Routes to School
Architect Architectural Drawing
PART 5 ()
Playgrounds
Architect Architectural Drawing

Feature 1011: Skip stop elevators

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 4 ()
Elevator and Stair Alignment
Auditor Inspection

Comfort

Feature 72: ADA accessible design standards

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
ADA Regulations
Architect

Feature 73: Ergonomics: visual and physical

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Visual Ergonomics
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 (Design)
Desk Height Flexibility
Auditor Inspection
PART 3 (Design)
Seat Flexibility
Auditor Inspection

Feature 74: Exterior noise intrusion

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Performance)
Sound Pressure Level
Performance Test
PART 2 (Performance)
Noise Criteria in Living Areas
Performance Test
PART 3 (Performance)
Noise Criteria in Living Spaces [DELETE]
Performance Test
PART 4 (Performance)
Noise Criteria in Schools
Performance Test

Feature 75: Internally generated noise

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 2 (Performance)
Mechanical Equipment Sound Levels
Performance Test

Feature 76: Thermal comfort

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Ventilated Thermal Environment
MEP
PART 2 (Design)
Natural Thermal Adaptation
MEP
PART 3 ()
Thermal Comfort in the Kitchen
MEP

Feature 78: Reverberation time

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Performance)
Reverberation Time
Performance Test
PART 2 (Performance)
Reverberation Time for Learning Spaces
Performance Test

Feature 79: Sound masking

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 2 (Performance)
Sound Masking Limits
Performance Test

Feature 80: Sound reducing surfaces

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Ceilings
Architect

Feature 81: Sound barriers

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Wall Construction Specifications
Architect
PART 3 (Design)
Wall Construction Methodology
Contractor

Feature 82: Individual thermal control

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Free Address
Policy Document
PART 2 (Protocol)
Personal Thermal Comfort Devices
Auditor Inspection

Feature 83: Radiant thermal comfort

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Lobbies and Other Common Public Spaces
MEP

Feature 205: Impact reducing flooring

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Floor Construction
Architect

Mind

Feature 84: Health and wellness awareness

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
WELL Building Standard® Guide
Auditor Inspection
PART 2 (Protocol)
Health and Wellness Library
Auditor Inspection

Feature 85: Integrative design

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Stakeholder Charrette
Policy Document
PART 2 (Protocol)
Development Plan
Policy Document
PART 3 (Protocol)
Stakeholder Orientation
Policy Document

Feature 86: Post-occupancy surveys

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Occupant Survey Content
Policy Document
PART 2 (Protocol)
Information Reporting
Policy Document

Feature 89: Adaptable spaces

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Stimuli Management
Architect Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Privacy
Architect Spot Check
PART 4 (Protocol)
Workplace Sleep Support
Policy Document Spot Check

Feature 90: Healthy sleep policy

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Non-Workplace Sleep Support
Policy Document
PART 2 (Protocol)
Delayed Start
Architect Architectural Drawing

Feature 94: Self-monitoring

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Sensors and Wearables
Policy Document

Feature 95: Stress and addiction treatment

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Mind and Behavior Support
Policy Document
PART 2 (Protocol)
Stress Management
Policy Document
PART 3 (Protocol)
Mind and Behavior Support for Students
Architect Architectural Drawing

Feature 96: Altruism

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol)
Charitable Activities
Policy Document
PART 2 (Protocol)
Charitable Contributions
Policy Document

Feature 97: Material transparency

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Material Information
Architect
PART 2 (Design)
Accessible Information
Auditor Inspection

Feature 99: Beauty and design II

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Ceiling Height
Architectural Drawing Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Artwork
Auditor Inspection
PART 3 (Design)
Spatial Familiarity
Auditor Inspection

Feature 100: Biophilia II - quantitative

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Outdoor Biophilia
Architect Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Indoor Biophilia
Architect Spot Check
PART 3 (Design)
Water Feature
Architect Spot Check